Cleveland, OH
Oh no! Another debate! Where’s the Valium? John Blumenthal
Normally, I’m a fairly relaxed person but during Presidential debates I often experience severe panic attacks. I first experienced this acute anxiety during Michael Dukakis’s debate loss to George H. W. Bush in 1988. Dukakis made an ill-advised remark that nearly made me choke on a pretzel. It haunted him throughout the rest of the campaign and arguably contributed to his defeat.
Since then, whenever my preferred candidate stumbles during a debate, my heart races, I perspire uncontrollably and my hands tremble. I frequently yell epithets at my flatscreen if my candidate gets stuck or misses an obvious opportunity to dispatch the opponent. I punch the air if my candidate nails the other debater with a zinger.
An award-winning novelist and former magazine editor who co-authored the movie, “Blue Streak,” John Blumenthal is a regular contributor to The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, for which this was written.
Cleveland, OH
Temperatures could dip to sub-zero in Cleveland this week. When’s the last time that happened?
Oh the weather outside is … freezing. Actually, it’s much colder than that.
Temperatures in northeast Ohio are expected to peak at a high of 16 degrees on Tuesday, with a low of 9 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Wind chills dipped between -15 and -20 degrees this morning and are expected to remain near-zero or slightly below into the evening. The sub-zero temperatures forced a number of Cleveland-area school districts to close on Tuesday.
Later this week, air temperatures in Cleveland could reach as low as -4 degrees on Friday night, according to NWS’ extended forecast.
When’s the last time that happened? Perhaps to no surprise, the last time temperatures dropped below zero in Cleveland was just last year, in late January.
Air temperatures in Cleveland reached a low of -5 degrees on January 22, 2025, with a high of only 16 degrees. The day before, temperatures peaked at 10 degrees with a low of -3 degrees. Those were the only two days last year that air temperatures reached sub-zero in Cleveland.
Going even further back, the coldest day in Cleveland on record was -20 degrees on Jan. 19, 1994. The high that day was a balmy -3 degrees.
Official air temperature records in Cleveland have been recorded at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport — located about 14 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland — since 1938. Prior to that, records were kept near Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland.
Below-zero temperatures can also create problems inside your home: Freezing and bursting pipes. The American Red Cross suggests opening cabinet doors underneath the sink in your kitchen and bathroom to help warmer air circulate around the plumbing, cleveland.com’s Julie Washington and Megan Sims previously reported.
Veterinarians also recommend pet owners take precautions to keep their four-legged friends warm amid the unusually cold temperatures.
“Frostbite and hypothermia are the two biggest threats facing pets in cold weather, which is made worse with temperatures less than zero degrees,” Beth Malinich, doctor of veterinary medicine at the Animal Hospital of Fairview Park, told cleveland.com.
Cleveland, OH
Shooting in Cleveland leaves man in critical condition: EMS
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 25-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot Monday afternoon.
According to Cleveland EMS, they reported to the area of E 123rd Street and Buckeye Road for a man who was shot.
EMS took the man with a gunshot wound in critical condition to UHA.
19 News is working to learn more from Cleveland Police about what led up to the shooting and if there are any suspects at this time.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Police need help identifying driver in deadly hit-and-run crash on west side
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police are asking for help in identifying the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a man in his 30s dead early Saturday morning.
According to the Cleveland Police, the deadly hit-and-run crash is currently under investigation by the Cleveland Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit.
At around 2:38 a.m., officers responded to the 13900 block of Lorain Avenue for a report of a pedestrian struck by a car.
When officers arrived, they found a man in his 30s lying unconscious in the street.
Cleveland EMS took the man to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to police, preliminary information shows that the victim was walking on Lorain Avenue when a dark-colored four-door sedan with heavily tinted windows, believed to be speeding, passed a vehicle on the right, entered into the bicycle lane, lost control and struck the victim.
Below are photos of the car provided by police:
The suspect vehicle then fled the scene before officers arrived.
Police said the car is believed to have sustained damage to the front passenger fender/hood/windshield and the rear passenger bumper.
Crimestoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. You can contact Crimestoppers at 216-252-7463 or visit the website at WWW.25CRIME.COM.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Cleveland Police Accident Investigation Unit at 216-623-3310.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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